Legends of Opera

Katia Ricciarelli

She studied music in Venice before making her debut in 1968 as Mimì in La Bohème.

In 1970 she appeared in Parma in Il Trovatore.

Between 1972 and 1975 many significant engagements followed in the major European and American opera houses. They included the Lyric Opera of Chicago (1972) La Scala (1973) Royal Opera House (1974) and the Metropolitan Opera in 1975.

Apart from her many performances all over the world Miss Riccarelli has appeared as Desdemona in the 1986 Franco Zeffirelli film version of Verdi's Otello with Plácido Domingo and she has many recordings to her credit including an Aida with Placido Domingo and Elena Obratsova.

Since 2003 she has been the Artistic Director of the Macerata Opera Festival.